Value of a cow – Story
(From Mahabharata)
In the course of his pilgrimage, Sage Chyavana reached Prayag where Ganga and Yamuna merge.
He entered the river and stayed under water in the stage of Samadhi.
A big group of fish surrounded the sage and was in total peace with him.
The sage also was at ease with the fish around him and stayed thus for twelve years.
One day, a group of fishermen came to that place and threw big nets into the river.
Along with the fish, the sage also was caught in the nets and the fishermen were surprised to see the sage along with the fish.
The fishermen were frightened and fell at the feet of Sage Chyavana and requested for his forgiveness.
They also asked him to give them further directions.
The sage reassured them that they did do not anything wrong and since he was part of the catch, they should sell him for a suitable price.
The fishermen did not know what to do and went to their king Nahusha and reported the whole matter and requested the king to come and take care of them.
King Nahusha came to see the sage along with his ministers and other staff.
He prostrated himself at the feet of the sage and expressed remorse at the actions of the fishermen and requested the sage to guide them further.
The Sage Chyavana replied:
“Oh King! What is there to feel bad? The fishermen did nothing wrong and were simply doing their duty. There is no mistake from their side. Now listen to my advice. Since I am their catch, they should be compensated and I suggest that you compensate them suitably.”
The king was happy that the Sage was not angry with him or the fishermen and ordered his ministers to pay the fishermen a thousand madas (some gold coins of that era).
The sage heard that and told the king and the ministers to pay a fair and just price to the fishermen.
The king went on increasing and finally offered the whole kingdom, but the sage simply asked the king to sit and confer with the ministers and decide the fair compensation.
The king and the ministers were wondering what to do when would great wise man named Kavi Jatha came that way and he assured the king that he will fix the suitable price for the sage and asked them not to worry.
The king and the ministers were very happy and were a relieved a lot.
Then Kavi Jatha said, “The value of a cow and a Brahmin is equal. Lord Brahma made cow as the cause of all havis in yaga and the Brahmin as the head of all mantras. No one can fix the price of a Brahmin or a cow. So, offer a cow instead of the sage to the fishermen.”
The king was pleased and went to the sage and told the sage that he was incapable of fixing the rate for him and instead would offer a cow to the fishermen.
The sage was very happy to hear this and said: “Oh king! I am glad that the proper value has been fixed. The cow is holy and contains Agni and Amrita (the nectar). It is fit to be worshiped even by the gods. I am pleased with your decision. So, give a cow to the fishermen.”
So, the king gave a good cow to the fishermen. They accepted the cow and then went to the sage and bowed to him and pleaded with him that he had been very kind to them and so he should kindly accept the cow from them.
The sage was pleased with their devotion and agreed.
By the mercy of the sage, the fishermen and the acquatics became purified and went to heaven. The king also became very happy and from that time onwards began to worship the cows. The great sage then returned to his hermitage.
(Life is an Echo – Story! READ HERE!)